Our Youth group, had the teens auctioned off to do a day of work at your house, of course they weren't allowed to do any heavy labor, nor climb ladders, but people battled to get a certain teen to work for them.

My children attend a Christian school with less than 40 students. The school is poor because most of the parents are not that well-to-do, but we've made a fairly good profit having an outdoor carnival in a county of 80,000, most of whom live way out in the boonies. All the parents that can-as well as the teachers-help. We have games, which the parents run. We also sell a variety of food (donated by parents) and have game and door prizes donated by local merchants. We advertise via flyers. I realized, after working the games, that all of them could be made cheaply, and there was no need to hire someone to provide them, which can save even more money. The carnival is lots of fun for everyone concerned.

"Sell" a yardsale. Mark off spaces in a parking lot and rent them for $5 each, first come, first serve. Our Sunday school had over 100 people respond -- $500, no overhead. The students had a concession booth (donations only for soda and baked goods, but you could charge per serving), and a car wash -- get yours washed while you shop! Also had a babysitting area with arts and crafts for children, free; donations accepted.

With a little student and parent power, we made nearly $1000 after costs in this small town.

Our local churches have many fundraisers during the year. Twice a year there will be a Rummage Sale. The church has tables of rummage and a bake table. When the Grange has it, they rent out tables to the public for $15 per table. The Grange sells food for hungry shoppers.

Strawberry festivals are held every spring. The shortcakes are served mostly with ice cream and whipped topping of some sort, but are made to order. Of course, coffee and tea are served too.

In the fall, Harvest or Booth Festivals are sometimes held. You'd need to have gardeners or farmers for this one. They'd need to donate or sell produce and other items. Perhaps you can buy or make pumpkin and apple pies to sell in keeping with the theme.

Advertisement

I have seen church sales for submarine sandwiches. People often take orders for their work and deliver them that way. Also, there would be pickup at the church.

I've also seen Welsh cookie sales and another sale for Pasties. The women of the church have to make these, but it is advertised to the public and very, very popular in my area of NE PA.

Spaghetti dinners go over well here. Of course you need to have someone to do the cooking or have it catered. People who work like take outs.

Christmas Bazaar is another good idea if you have women who do crafts. Charge for the use of the tables and invite the public to sell crafts items. Or sell crafts online. Have you checked Ebay? People like handmade goods and homemade preserves, etc. These make good Christmas gifts.

I once held a Book Sale at a chuch. I wrote to the church store in Philadelphia and described what I wanted to do. I wanted to make books available to church members for personel use. I got books and other items on consignment that I could sell after church on two consecutive Sundays. There were Bibles, prayer books, children's books (graces, etc), and book marks, jewelry, pens and pencils with bible verses, etc. Perhaps you can get a local book store to do this for you, but I had good luck with having them shipped from the big city and then packing everything that was left and sending it back.

Advertisement

Easter Breakfasts sometimes work out. The men of the church cook breakfast to order and there is a bowl for monetary donations. Sometimes people are more generous when there isnt a set amount to give. Also this allows for differences in budgets.

What about a Silent or "Chinese" Auction? You'd need to get donations of items from church members or local businesses. I think you'll be surprised at what you will get. Display the items nicely on tables for people to browse through after church for one or two consecutive Sundays. Each item is numbered and has a box near it for the bidder to submit their bid with their name and phone number, address. Highest bidder gets the item. They can pick it up at church or it would need to be delivered. I really like this one. I can remember bidding on note paper and framed pictures of angels... I even got a book this way. Make it sound like fun. Enthusiasm is very catchy!!

Our church accepts donations of all kinds, from the public & congregation, all year round. Members of the congregation have designated days for pickup of donations, if large enough if the giver can't deliver. Every 3 months, our church has a rummage & bake sale. Other fundraisers we have are: church t-shirt sales, Christmas Bazaar, frozen fruit & frozen seafood sales thru a West Coast Co., submarine sandwich sale (meatball/ham & cheese/turkey & cheese). All does very well. GOOD Luck!!!!

We are trying to raise money so our church can build a Family LifeWay Center. We need ideas on the planning of a fall festival that can be open to the community and draw a crowd that will help us raise money. Mostly it will be an outside event, but we will have access to our Fellowship Hall.